Town officials address amateur bike signage, lane markings

Thursday

Aug 3, 2017 at 4:14 PMAug 3, 2017 at 4:14 PM

By Ryan Bray

Unauthorized bicycle signage and lane markings aroundn town have gotten the attention of town officials, including selectmen and police.

The Falmouth Police Department posted photos to its Facebook page on Thursday, August 3, showing unofficial lane markings and directions on Robbins Road and Scranton Avenue. The photos show portions of both roadways marked in white for bicycle traffic.

Police are asking anyone with any information about the unauthorized markings to contact the department at 774-255-4527.

This is the second time in recent weeks that town officials have addressed the issue of unauthorized lanes and bicycle signage. Selectman Doug Jones addressed the issue at selectmen's meeting on July 24. He said there were similar signs and marking along Surf Drive.

"Does anyone know where this is coming from?" he asked.

Falmouth Police Chief Edward Dunne said he noticed the signage himself while biking along Surf Drive.

"It looks like it was done by an unknown," he said. "It doesn't appear to be professionally done."

Scott Lindell, chairman of the Falmouth Bikeways Committee, said he alerted Falmouth Department of Public Works about the signage on Fourth of July weekend. He said there also has been unauthorized signage and markings on Locust Street that direct bicyclists toward Main Street instead of the Katharine Lee Bates Road connector.

"Some of the scrawls are accurate, but some of them are downright dangerous," he told selectmen.

While done improperly, Peter McConarty, the town's deputy public works director, said he did not believe there is any mal intent behind the signage.

"Whoever did this was trying to be meaningful and was trying to help," he said, noting the legibility of the markings.

Still, McConarty said that people should not take it upon themselves to make road or signage improvements. Requests for improved signage or road marking should go through the town's traffic advisory committee, he said, after which the DPW will make improvements as directed.